NFC South: Biggest question for each team in 2020

Atlanta Falcons: Has Dan Quinn’s club finally found a consistent pass rush?

Former Seattle Seahawks’ assistant Dan Quinn took over as Atlanta Falcons’ head coach in 2015. It’s been an interesting five-year run and the last two years have seen the club finish 7-9. But it’s also worth noting that after a 1-7 start this past season, the club won six of its final eight games including road surprises of the playoff-bound New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers.

But the subject there is less about the team and more about one aspect of the club that has struggled during Quinn’s tenure. The team has long searched for a consistent pass rush and back in 2015, the club thought they may have found the answer in defensive end Vic Beasley – the eighth overall pick that year.

In his second season, he led the NFL with 15.5 sacks and the Falcons wound up in Super Bowl LI. But his five-year tenure with the franchise was more disappointing then productive and this offseason come of the club opted not to re-sign him and let him test free agency. He’s now a member of the Tennessee Titans.

Enter Dante Fowler Jr., late of the Los Angeles Rams and off a big year in many aspects. He started a personal-best 14 games and racked up career highs with 58 tackles, 11.5 sacks and six passes defensed. It’s the latest attempt by the team to get more consistent heat on opposing quarterbacks.